#sports personality of the year

Listening to Richie Collins reflect on his playing career, you come to realise he was very much a man out of his time. With his basketball background, he was blessed with rare skills for a forward in the 1980s and'90s - the Justin Tipuric of his day. He also adopted a professional approach in an amateur era, with a dedicated focus on fitness and…

Constitution Hill takes another lazy roll on his comfy bedding, his tenth of the year so far and it's not yet nine in the morning on New Year's Day. Back on his feet he ambles over to the open half-door of his stable and gazes on the yard outside. Nicky Henderson's third lot are assembling in front of him, the younger geldings nattering excitedly…

Hollie Doyle: six rides on Windsor's card for the top jockey It would be wrong to say Hollie Doyle emerged when riding a magical five-timer on Windsor's card on Saturday 12 months ago, but it was an afternoon she will forever look back on fondly, even if the celebrations made few ripples. "I've got Yarmouth tomorrow," the down-to-earth Doyle…

Last Saturday Harry Skelton was crowned champion jump jockey after a long tussle with Brian Hughes and now the Flat battle gets under way, and it could be just as exciting. After a pandemic-affected title chase last year, the race returns to its 2000 Guineas day to Champions Day format this time, with Oisin Murphy hoping to finish top of the table…

Eddie Jones might have said this week that they don't look at the bookies after their outstanding semi-final win against New Zealand - but he surely can't have resisted a cheeky peek at the odds, which see his side as clear odds-on favourites to win a first Webb Ellis trophy since 2003. The England coach masterminded one of the most complete…

There are certain horse races that all jockeys dream of winning, and the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival is undoubtedly one of them. Run over a distance of three miles, two furlongs and 70 yards, the Gold Cup is a major test of the credentials of both horse and jockey. For most riders, winning the Gold Cup just once represents something of a…